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Ancelotti - Rooney over Messi

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he would rather have Wayne Rooney than Lionel Messi.

By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey

Last Updated: 07/05/11 11:10am

Rooney: Ancelotti's preference over Messi ahead of Chelsea's trip to Manchester United

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he would rather have Wayne Rooney than Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona star is widely regarded as the best player in the world, but Ancelotti has a different opinion.

The Blues chief, though, feels Rooney offers more to a team and he would take the Manchester United forward if offered the choice.

"Everyone goes for Messi but I would take Rooney," he told the Daily Mail.

"Messi is out of this world and maybe he is reaching the level of Maradona.

"Rooney, however, is closer to the reality of football. He puts his talent out to the rest of the team and this explains the difference between players and outstanding players."

Ancelotti comes up against Rooney on Sunday as Chelsea face United at Old Trafford and he insists he will not be man-marking the England star.

"We want to play our football, not just control their skills and ability. Rooney is the key player for United, and the last time against us Ryan Giggs was the best player. He passed three balls and they scored three goals," he added.